Shark & Whales
Take a scenic Self Drive tour along the coast of Cape Town and see some of the best marine wildlife South Africa has to offer with a combined Shark Cage Dive experience and Whale Watching Tour.
Dispel all those fears and myths and dive straight into White Shark Diving territory. There are very few things that can be compared to being within arms reach of a 3m Great White Shark as they cruise right by cage. This captivating encounter will definitely get your heart racing and leave you on a high for days.
Then get within 50m of a southern right whale. See these amazing gentle giants up close and personal as they make their way to the sheltered waters of South Africa from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic to mate, give birth, and nurse thier young. Watch as they sing their whale songs and dance to the beat of the waves, breaching, blowing and lob-tailing. A truly breathtaking experience.
The Shark Cage Dive and the Whale Wathing Tour can be done on 1 day or on 2 seperate days. Trips are run 7 days a week and are strictly weather dependent and subject to availability.
Shark Cage diving can be done by the whole family, no dive experience is necessary.
Find out more about the Trip
Shark
About the Trip:
Your Shark Cage Diving experience starts after an approximate 2 and a half hour drive from Cape Town.
On arrival in Gansbaai you will be met by the crew and be given a brief orientation on the day's activities. You will then be required to complete the necessary Shark Cage Diving indemnity forms while you enjoy a light breakfast before embarking on this thrill seeking Shark Diving Adventure.
After breakfast you will take a short walk down to Kleinbaai harbour where all the diving boats are based. Once on board get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush of your life. Nothing quite compares to Shark Diving in Cape Town.... it will leave you on a high for days.
Where We Dive and Best time to Go:
A 10-15 minute boat ride will take you out to Shark Alley (between Gyser Rock and Dyer Island, home to one of the largest seal colonies in Southern Africa), renowned as one of "the best" Shark Diving Sites in Gansbaai.
Winter time (Apr - Oct) is considered to be the best time to go Shark Cage Diving in South Africa with visibility being better than in the summer however, Great White Shark Diving can be done all year round!
Time at Sea:
Boats stay out at sea for around 2 - 4 hours depending on weather and sea conditions. Once anchored, the crew will immediately begin to chum the water with fish based products, like tuna and fish oil to attract the Great White Sharks. With the chum in the water all you can do is wait for the first shark to show up and hope that this happens quickly.
Once the first shark makes its appearance you will kit up and get into the cage where you can get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. One to five Great Whites can be encountered in a day but if you are exceptionally lucky, you may see more.
Dive Equipment:
All dive gear including wetsuits and mask are provided so that you can enjoy the Shark Cage Dive in comfort.
Once in the cage all you need to do is lower yourself under the water using a simple breath-hold technique where you will be able to view the Great White Sharks lurking in the depths below.
Shark Diving is safe and very educational. You also don't need any dive certification to go Shark Cage Diving here in Cape Town.
The Dive:
For your 1st Dive you get about 20 - 30 minutes in the cage. Subsequent dives are then rotated amongst the divers to ensure everyone gets a chance to view the Great White Sharks. You can sometimes get 2 - 3 dives per trip if the weather, sea conditions and shark activity is good. The cage takes between 5 - 6 people at a time so there is plenty of time to cage dive. Numbers are limited to ensure maximum shark cage diving time.
For those of you who would prefer not to get in the cage, no problem, these fantastic apex predators can be viewed from the boat. Being surface feeders, it's almost as good as being in the water with them as everything happens pretty close to the surface, giving you exceptional views and fantastic photo opportunities of them circling and descending deeper into the depths below.
Conditions:
The water temperatures can vary between 55 - 65°F (12-18°C) when you go Great White Shark Diving in Cape Town. Visibility is usually around 6-8 meters but can go up to 12-15 meters on a good day or down to 2-3 meters on a bad day.
The Return to Shore:
On return to shore after your exhilarating Shark Cage Diving experience you will be invited to view the Shark Diving video of the day (available at an additional cost) while you enjoy a light lunch.
Whales
About the Whale Watching Trip:
The Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus can last anything between 1.5 hrs to 3 hrs dependingon sea conditions, whale activity and where the whales are located but is on average 2 hrs long.
Tours leave from the New Harbour in Hermanus. You will need to arrive at least 30 min. prior to the tour time. On arrival you will receive a boat and safety briefing. All passengers will be required to sign indemnity forms prior to boarding.
Whales are observed within 50m of the boat (permit and animal safety regulations apply) but being naturally curious, often approach the boat giving you spectacular photo opportunities.
Enjoy some light refreshments while listening to the on-board commentary as the whale specialist and guide provides valuable insight to their behaviour and migratory patterns.
Marine Life You Can Encounter:
Bryde's Whales (all year round) Southern Right Whales (June - November), Humpback Whales (June to September), a variety of Dolphin species, Cape Fur Seals, Marine Birds including the African penguin
Shark
The Trip includes:
- Shark Cage Diving & Surface Viewing (1 Trip)
- Boat & Cage Dive Safety Briefing
- An experienced Dive Guide & Boat Skipper
- All dive gear including mask and wetsuits
Meals:
- A light breakfast on arrival
- Drinks & Snacks on board the boat
- A light lunch on your return to Kleinbaai Harbour
Whales
The Trip includes:
- Tea & Coffee on arrival
- Whale Watching Boat Trip (2 hrs on average)
- Experienced Whale Watching Skipper & Crew
- Whale Guide and Specialist
- Bottled water on board
Shark
What To Bring with You:
- Warm clothing for after the dive. Waterproof / Windproof Jacket, it can sometimes get a bit chilly on the boat
- Hat & Sun block
- Swimming costume for underneath wetsuits (if diving)
- Camera
- Towel
- Disposable underwater cameras are also available at the harbour curio shop or at most camera stockists
- Sea / Motion Sickness Tablets
Whales
What To Bring with You:
- Warm jumper or jacket (the wind can sometimes get cold on the boat)
- Hat & Sun-block
- Camera/Camcorder
- Binoculars
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Optional Extras:
- A DVD of the day's activities will be available for purchase.
- Don't fancy the 2.5 hour drive see our fully inclusive Transfer Option.
- Want to spoil yourself why not try our Helicopter Charter Option.
Whales
Optional Extras:
- Footage of the trip may be available for purchase on the day.
- Return Transfers from Cape Town are available (see our Including Transfer Option for prices)
- Accommodation can be arranged upon request.
- Any drinks or meals not specified
Shark
Safety:
The safety of our customers on every Cage Diving trip is of utmost importance to us.
The Operators we deal with have an unblemished Safety Record and carry out regular safety checks. Shark Cage Diving with Great Whites has become an important part of Eco-Tourism in South Africa so ensuring your safety also ensures the continued survival of the Great White Shark.
Whales
Safety:
The safety of our customers on every Whale Watching Tour is of utmost importance to us.
The Operators we deal with have an unblemished Safety Record and carry out regular safety checks.
No Current Info
Shark
Itinerary:
Note that the schedules below are a mere guideline and can change at any time. During high season there may be as many as two or even three dive Trips available per day depending on the Operator.
Morning Trip Schedule:
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 8.00 | Meet in Kleinbaai for a light Breakfast & Dive Briefing. |
| 9.00 | Boat launch from Kleinbaai harbour (15 - 20 min boat ride to the site). |
| 9.20 | Estimated 2-4 hours at sea for the shark cage dive (All gear included plus drinks & snacks onboard). |
| 13.20 | Return to harbour. |
| 13.40 | Partake in a Light lunch whilst watching the video of the day (Option to purchase DVD). |
Afternoon Trip Schedulu: (only available if there are enough clients to run two trips)
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 11.30 | Meet in Kleinbaai for a late Breakfast & Dive Briefing. |
| 12.10 | Boat launch from Kleinbaai harbour (15 - 20 min boat ride to the site). |
| 12.30 | Estimated 3 hours at sea for the shark cage dive (All gear included plus drinks & snacks onboard). |
| 15.30 | Return to harbour. |
| 15.50 | Partake in a Late lunch whilst watching the video of the day (Option to purchase DVD). |
Please give yourslef 2.5 hours to make it on time
- From Cape Town, take the N2 to Somerset West/Cape Town International Airport.
- Stay on the N2 and drive straight through Somerset West, continue over Sir Lowry’s Pass in the direction of George.
- As you come down from Houwhoek Pass, keep left and head towards Hermanus on to the R43.
- Continue through this up and coming coastal town, until you pass Stanford (approx 20km from Hermanus) and drive for a further 20km until you reach Gansbaai.
- As you enter Gansbaai continue straight until you come to the last 4-way stop (5th intersection), turn right onto Main Road.
- Keep left on Main Road. This becomes Swart Street.
- At the T-junction, turn right into Kus Drive. Kleinbaai Harbour will be on your left where the crew will be awaiting your arrival.
Whales
Itinerary:
Note that the times below are a mere guideline and can change at any time.
Tours leave from the New Harbour in Hermanus.
You will be required to arrive 30 min prior to the boat launch.
Boat Departure Times: June to end November at 09h00 | 12h00 | 15h00
Please give yourslef 2 hours to make it on time
- From Cape Town, take the N2 to Somerset West/Cape Town International Airport.
- Stay on the N2 and drive straight through Somerset West, continue over Sir Lowry’s Pass in the direction of George.
- As you come down from Houwhoek Pass, keep left and head towards Hermanus on to the R43.
- Continue on the R43 straight into Hermanus. This will become Main Road
- Turn Right onto Swartdam Road
- Turn Right onto Swartdam Road
- Continue straight on Swartdam Road until you reach Still Street, turn right into the New Harbour Entrance. Here you will be required to pay a R5 entrance fee
- Continue straight until you reach the first stop street, then turn left and go down the hill towards the harbour.
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